The sun came out today here on the south coast. Only briefly, you understand, but enough to gladden the heart.
I set about some weeding - plants with tap roots such as Alexanders and Cow Parsley were coming up quite well in my chalky soil, although I realise that for anyone on clay the idea of weeding in gloop is out of the question.
As I crawled around on hands and knees, it was lovely to see the unfurling shoots of all sorts of flowers, like the first glimpse of old friends after a long time of absence.
In fact, some tulips have emerged way too early. They won't be reached by direct sunlight so are unlikely to open wide enough for any insect to take advantage.
The crocuses are much more on schedule, and should be open within a week or so.
The Pulmonaria is just coming into bud, and should be right on cue for the first Honeybees in March.
And I was pleased to see the corrugated leaves of Lamium orvala poking through. This is a very well-behaved 'dead nettle' from the Alps that I'd recommend for any shady part of the garden.
Will we get a proper cold snap to freeze everything in its tracks? It's looking unlikely, isn't it? If things continue the way they are going, we could see ridiculously early fruit blossom, February daffodils all over the place and nature all out of kilter. This could be a very 'interesting' spring indeed...
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw